Anne-Claire Brun Photography • Ukiah • CA 95482

What 3 words best describe your work?

Candid. Emotional. Authentic.

Why should someone hire you?

When you get married, you want someone you feel comfortable with to be around. You want someone you can trust to capture the little moments (and the big ones!) that mean everything. I care about my couples and I really care to capture the interactions and the magic of a wedding day. I know how important and rare it can be to have all your loved ones gathered together; that's why I don't take it lightly. I hustle to capture it all to tell the story of your special day, make you feel comfortable and be as invisible as possible.

What drew you to this field/how did you get started?

I wanted to tell stories... Turns out I'm better at writing stories with light and colors than I am with words! I've always been drawn to light and cameras. It was a fascination that I took to the next level when I left France to travel for a year when I was 23. I lived in a van for a year in Australia and I took photos whenever I went. I'm a big romantic and one day I ended up in the US and a couple of friends asked if I could take photos of their wedding. I wasn't sure but I said ok. And what happened is that when I shot their wedding, I realized that's what I was meant to be doing with my life.

What are some sources of inspiration or influences on your work?

A lot of photographers—not wedding photographers though, like Steve McCurry, Raymond Depardon, Alain Laboile, Vivian Maier, Fred Stein, Elliott Erwitt... Paintings, for the use of light, nature, travels, and music.

What makes a wedding memorable for you?

When I share a special connection with the couple, or when I get especially moved by the vows or the speeches. When the bride and her dad get emotional when dancing - I lost my dad not too long ago so any special moment between the bride and her dad, really!

Also, when some weddings are particularly fun or beautiful or emotional - it can be a festival-like wedding with llamas, an elopement in a breathtaking location, or just meaningful moments like parents of the bride and groom all holding hands during their speeches.

What have weddings taught you?

To not take any gathering of loved ones for granted. Some people, especially in the US, only gather all of their loved ones once, for their wedding. It's the one day they're all together and any detail: a look, a hug, a tear... can mean a lot more than you'd think. I try to capture the unsaid stuff that is so meaningful.

What is the best advice you give a couple when planning their wedding?

Take a deep breath and take it all in at some point on your wedding day. Have 5–10 minutes with nothing planned; just look around and let all the love fill you.

What are 3 words that describe your personality?

Genuine, enthusiastic, adventurous.

What's your favorite quote?

"You don't make a photograph just with a camera. You bring to the act of photography all the pictures you have seen, the books you have read, the music you have heard, the people you have loved." ―Ansel Adams

What's your favorite marriage advice?

Give each other space when things are hard. Then come back to each other and communicate.

Tell us about your pets, if you have any.

I have a Yorkie-poo, Brooklyn. She's like a therapy dog, cuddles you in the morning, freaks out when things are loud, and will try anything to make you feel better when you are upset!